France Won't Repeal Ban On Modified Crops

Law360, New York (March 19, 2008, 12:00 AM EDT) -- To the chagrin of agriculture technology giant Monsanto Co. and French farmers, France's state council has refused to overturn a ban on the commercial use of genetically modified crops grown in the country.

The council rejected the challenge on Wednesday from nine plaintiffs that produce or use a strain of genetically modified corn called MON 810 maize seeds.

A French-government-appointed committee had banned the seeds after it said it had unearthed new evidence that products could harm the environment.